Spinning ring and traveler



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Oct. 26, 1926. w 1,604,929

c. F. MERRILL SPINNING RING AND TRAVELER Filed Feb. 10, 1926 s suuts snm 1 Fig.1.

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Chofles F: Merri H AiTYs.

.3 Sheets-Shegt 2 I invenfor; Charles F. Merrill 1:. F. MERRILL SPINNING RING AND TRAVELER Filed Fb. 10. 1926 4 M Ma Oct. 26, 1926.

Oct. 26 1926.

C. F. MERRILL SPINNING RING'AND TRAVELER Filed Feb. 10. 1926 '3 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm" M lnvenTon Charles F; Merrill b MMkM ATTys.

Patentedon. mire-2e.-

y, 1,604,929 PATENT o -Pics,

\ CHARLES F. MERRILL, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, AS BIGNOR- TO DRAIEB CQR- smnrne Jame in Tasman.

PORATIbN, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, L CORPORATION 9E MAINE.

1 Application med a-eme '10, mo Serial names.

This invent-ion relates to the cooperating ring and traveler elements of ring spinni diechanism long and extensivelyxemploye in the spinning and twisting of yarns. To this type of spinning mechanism a vast amount of engineering .abilit and inventive talent has been devoted, utit is still be imperfect in operation, subject touneven, a d often rapidly destructive, wear of the l" ch ntactsurfaces of the cooperating 'elements,

and hence limited as to th uniformity, continuity and fineness of the product. Excessive wear necessitates frequent replace 'ment of the travelers, andlless frequent replacement of worn-out rings, which creates expense in maintaining the spinnin mechanism in propep gperating order.

of one or both. elements, the-movement of the traveler on the ring lacks the even, steady and continuous qualities which are desired and necessary dnring'the spinning,

' :eppration. Vibration of the traveler with a respect to its normal plane when in motion at spinning speed, and irregular or jerky age. The fineness of the yarn which can be commercially produced by the ringspinningproc'ess is limited, toa'considerable 1 extent, byrthe strains imposed upon it in 35, moving the traveler in its path around the rin gl' A cooperating relation between the ring; and traveler leleme'nts which will reduce the average strain, and avoid individs rial or intermittent strains of excessive mag Q riitude, will permitv the production of finer f yarns ,by th s process, which is anobject 5 commercially desirable. L.

Q Quite universally practice. rings hav ,ingII .or T shaped sections, and a G shaped 4!) traveler enclosing the 11 per horizon l flange of the ring, are emp oyed in-the to {tile processes ,of spinning and The irre ularities gof which deve op asitheflresult of continued covit)" operation of these two elements have two m c cont major causes: (1) V at high rates of speed, 0 the area of the'traveler against the underand inner surfaces of the periphery of the flange,

4 urthe-ri more, 1n the more advanced stages of wear positions in the traveler mdvement' it conforms to usually without perceptible lubrication thus" inducing abrasion of thecontact surfac es; (2), an unstable position asumed by the traveler, as a resultant of a number of different forces'to which its peculiar form issubjected in its travel, with reference to its, aring area against .the ring. The result ant of the several forces usually causes the traveler to stand oblique or inclined with respect to the radius of the ring or its ath of revolution, and also oblique or inclined with respect to the vertical plane of thelradius of revolution, and also oblique or in- Gline'd with respect to the vertical axis of 'revolution Furthermore, as the ordinary traveler usually has its-main bearing on the ring'between one of the horns of the traveler and the under and inner surfaces of the causes which tend to increase or lessen the frictional resistance to motion at difieriit progress, of the traveler; around the-ring' j The. b'ect of the, present invention is to' provide a novel cooperating construction of ring and traveler wherein the various elements and forces determining the movementof the traveler on the ring are correlated so assto insure a more even, smooth and continuous movement of the traveler on the ring-during= e spinnin operation than usually obtains Er hen emploging the ordinany forms of these elements. 1 V The object of'the invention is further to provide aconstruction in which the inner riphery of the tin presents 3m upper 10 aring surface and a ower bearing surface with these sprfaoes converging inwardly and therefore toward each other, and in which the 11 pet of these surfaces is-preferahly slightl and m whichsthn veler isso'shaped' that both f these surfaces, the mi;

y convex and asurface of revolution 0 about the central vertical of the'ring ner horn riding on the lower bearing surface, while the inner side of the traveler runs opposite the upper surface with the yarn acting as a separating bearing medium between them.

The object of the invention is further to provide a construction in which the yarn where it passes around the traveler is forced to tatke and maintain a position between the traveler and the upper inner bearing surface of the ring sothat the yarn forms 21. separating bearing medium between the .traveler and the ring. 1

The object of the invention is further to provide a construction which will permit the use of any desired angle of the upper and lower bearing surfaces with respect to their common vertical axis, in order to regulate the posit on,- on the upper bearing surface, at which the yarn passes between the traveler and said surface.

The object of the invention is further to provide a construction which will permit,

' y proper selection of the angle of the upper and will be ,upon it, by extending its horns.

and lower bearing surfaces with respect to is symmetrical with respect to the axis extending in its plane midway between its horns and in which the bow section adjoining each horn and preferably the entire bow is of arcuate shape and of a curvature conforming to the'convexity of the upper bearlng surface of the ring and in which the graveler otherwise is' generallyof a square gure. V The object of the invention is further to provide a construction which will permit the positioning of the center of. gravity of the traveler, for the-purpose of coordinating its centrifugal force with other" forces acting The object of the invention is further to provide a construction in which the yarn will automatically be maintained between the traveler and the upper inner bearing surface of the ring to form a separating bearing medium.

These and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanyin description and drawings particularly pointed out in the claims.

I Since the operation of-ring spinning and the various mechanisms employed for'per formmg-thlsoperation are. well-kno n and familiar to those skilled in the art, and since the present invention relates to the ring and traveler elements, it is only necessary here to illustrate and describe the features of construction'and their operation with which '2) the present invention is particularly concerned.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a detail partially in vertical'cr oss section and much enlarged showing a portion of a bobbin, a ring, and a traveler embodying a preferred form of the present invention and in the relation existing when in a spinning frame.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the construeso t'ion shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is 'a view in elevation of a portion of the ring and the traveler as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in cross section slliowlng one form of cross section of trave er.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing another form of cross section of traveler.

Fig. 6 isa front elevation of a form of traveler embodying the invention.

Fig. 7isa view similar to Fig. 6 of another form of traveler.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 of a third form of traveler. I

Fig.9 is a view in enlarged cross section ofa form of ring embodying the invention.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly different form of construction.

ig. 11 is a plan view'of the construction shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of a slightly different form of traveler from that shown in Figs. .10 and 11.

Fig. 13 is afront elevation of two forms 1 of traveler similar to Fig.'12, but with horns of different lengths.

Fig. 14 is'a detail in vertical cross section showingaportion of the ring construction.

Fig. 15 is a detail in side elevation looking toward the left of Fig. 11. r

Fig. 16 is a detail in vertical cross section showing-another variation of the ring construction.

In the operation of ring spinning, the yarn passes from the draft rolls through 3 .guide eye and thence downwardly-throughthe raveler and to the bobbinor other yarn carrier upon which it is .wound. I A relative vertical movement isgiven to the ring and yarn carrier to secure the traverse of the yarn lengthwise of the yarn carrier. So far as the present invention is concerned, it is immaterial whether the ring or the yarn carrier is thus, moved while the other remains stationary vertically.

In the construction illustrated; the yarn 1 is shown passing down through and around the traveler mounted on'the ring, which is held against rotation, and extending from the traveler horizbntally and being wound upon the bobbin 2, which is rotating in the direction of the arrow 3. V

" lhe present invention will be best understood by having in mind the nature and direction of the principal forces acting .to effect the position and movement of thetraveler during theg spinning operation. .The traveler moves at a very'high rate of speed, wand although it is quite small, it nevertheless is of substantial weight. Consequently it is subject to a strong centrifugal force olds it in contact -.with the inner whiclgrh perip cry of the ring throughout its revolution. This centrifugal force, of course, acts radiallyof the ringfi, The force of gravity also acts upon't-hedrfaveler depending upon itsproportions, but always tending to rock the outer side of the traveler downward.

The movement of the traveler along the ring is imparted to it entirely by the yarn. Fhe movement of the yarn in turn is caused by the rotation of the bobbin or yarn carrier, which is not only drawing the yarn through the traveler, but is also carrying the run of yarn'extending from the bobbin up to the thread eye bodily around the axis of rota-. tion. This affects the position and move ment ofthe traveler in several ways. The

yarn between the traveler and the guide eye.

' balloo s out more orless, depending upon the speed of rotation, the weight and quality of the yarn and other-factors, so that the yarn approaches the traveler at. an angle determined thereby. The yarn as it passe around the traveler is fed downwardly at one face of the traveler by the spinningmechanism and is pulled away from the traveler at tlie otherface by the rotating yarn 4'0 carrier and the resulting difference in ten sion on the yarn between the portion passe ing to, and the portion passing from, the traveler tends also to twist,the plane of the ,traveler. ,In the preferred construction illustrated in Figs. l to 9, as an embodiment ,of the present invention the base 4 and web 5101 the ring may be of'any suitableshape. The upper-portion or flange of the ring or the portion traversed-by t he traveleris shaped in a general way tocorrespond' with the shape of the traveler. :The outer upper' peripheral surface 6, and the outer lower peripheral surface? are of little importance because these surfaces are not engaged bythe' traveler qwhen' in operation. This with the inner upper p'efipheraLsurface 8 and theinner lower peripheral surface 9, over which sur faces the traveler rides when'in operation, 9 that the present invention is; particularly" concerned.

* The traveleritself isprefe'rably formed of themsual stockof whichtravelers are r made, either'roundinfcross section, as shown in Fig, 4, or Jlat; in 5ross sectio;t,1as shown I of forty-five degrees to -this axis.

in Fig. 5. In the preferred forms of construction illustrated in Fi 1-9, inclusive, the traveler, see Fig. .6, or example, presents-a bow section 10 of substantially circular arcuate form, the sides 'of which merge by smooth curves into the horns 11. In Big. 6, the horns terminate in ,outwardl-y curvedextensions' 12. The traveler is symmetrical with respect to the axis 13 extend ing in it plane midway between the horns and the llor ns preferably extend at an angle The advantages of the present invention are knot to be limited to a symmetrical traveler.because'- only one side and one hprn 0 of the traveler perform the yarn guidlng and the ri-n" bearing functions, but it is very desirable that the traveler should be symmetrical because the operatives will not, be bothered with examining the travelers, which are of very small size to see which way they should be placed upeh the ring.

The inner periphery of the ring flange over which the traveler moves, as already pointed out, comprises the lower'bearing surface .9 and the upper bearing surface 8, which converge inwardly and therefore 'to-. ward each other. The lower surface 9 is preferably frustro-conical, while the upper surface. 8 is slightly convex and formed as a surface of revolution about the -central vertical axisof the ring. The; curvature of this convex surface 8 in a radial plane of the ring is substantially concentric to the arcuate. curve of the bow section of the traveler. Preferably the radius of curvature 14 of this surface, as shown'in Fig. 9, is less than the radius of curvature 15 of the bowsection of the traveler, as sltown in Fig- 6, by the estimated diameter of an'average yarn to be usedin connection therewith. p

The inner peripheral bearing surfaces of the ring thus present the required bearing surfaces and also, which is veryimport-a nt, lend themselves readily to the mechanical operations which are necessary in the forma-- tion, polishing and finishing thereof to se-- cure the high degree of hardness and smoothness that'is necessary. 1'

The traveler, asusual, is made somewhat larger in cross section then the ring flange, as illustrated, and the space between the horns is such that the traveler ,may readil "be snapped over the-flange of the ring ingth usual manner. To assist in thisloperation t he tip 16 of thering flange may be slabbed oil as shown. The weight and size of the traveler will otherwise vary in accordance 'with the weightand quality of the yarn, or as determined byxthe usual considerations in ring spinning. The traveler and the ring .flange are curved androunded to avoid sharp corners, butthe. inner horn and the adjacent bow section, and preferablyeach horn and its adjacent bow section, present- 3 the same angular relation, as do the inner peripheral bearlng surfaces 8 and 9 of the ring. In the construction illustrated, it will be seen that the horn 11 and the surface 9 both extend at an angle of forty-five degrees to the vertical. The yarn is assumed normally to pass around the traveler at the point 17 and the bow sectionis so related to the horn that a tangent to the curve of the bow at this point also extends at an angle of forty-five degrees to the vertical. So also the curve of the surface 8 is so located that "a tangent to this curve on the radial line 18,

section of the how 10 extends substantially equidistant from, or in a general way parallel with, the upper inner bearing surface 8. The horn has an extended bearing throughout its length upon the surface 9,.any minute discontinuity of contact owing to the slight tipping of the traveler carrying the horn out of the radial plane being compensatedby wear.

Owing to the position and relation of the upper, inner bearing surface 8 of the-ring andthe opposed side or section of the how 10, the yarn as it is drawn through and about the traveler'in the spinning operation pulls down toward the angle between the bow section and the horn and runs normally through the traveler at about the point 17 and between the bow section of the traveler and the bearing surface 8 of the ring- There is involved in this certain very important features of the invention; first, there are two bearing areas between the traveler and the ring substantially symmetrically. disposed with respect to the horizontal axis or the plane in which the run of yarn from the traveler to the bobbin moves; second, the yarn constantly runs between the traveler and .the upper surface 8 of the ring thus forming a bearing medium which prevents actual metallic contact of the traveler against this surface; third, the pull exerted by the yarn on the traveler is brought down near the center of gravity of the traveler or where it will have little tendency to cause the traveler to rock or chatter and, fourth, owing to the curvature and rela tion of the bow section of the traveler and the convex surface 8 of the ring, any tem- .porary' change in the running conditions tending to cause the yarn to shift its position away from its normal position on the traveler, such as the mint 1?, is automaticalneoeaae position of the traveler, as already pointed out, is gravity. Hence the weight of the traveler itself and the disposition of this weight with respect to the center of gravity of-the traveler are of importance.- In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, the center of gravity 19 is shown with respectto the axes 13 and 20. If now the yarn extensions 12 are omitted, as in the form oftraveler shown in Fig. 7, the center of gravity '20 is shifted upward, while if the yarn extensions are prolonged, as shown at 21, in the form of traveler illustrated in Fig. 8, the center of gravity 22 is below the position shown in Fig. 6. Consequently the center of gravity may be.

shifted materially by varying the length of the horns and by bending them outwardly so.as not to interfere with the operation of the traveler.

The construction shown in Figs. 10, 11

and 15 embodies many of the features already described, but in this case the flange 23 of the ring is shown as of generally square cross sectionwith the traveler having a corresponding shape. Consequently the upper inner bearing surface 24 of the ring is frustro-conical or of the sameshape as the lower bearing surface 25. I

' So long as the conditions obtaining and the forces acting are such as to keep the yarn running between the side bow section of the traveler and the upper inner bearing surface 24 of the ring, this construction is satisfactory. Under some conditions, depending upon the quality and weight of the yarn and size and weight of the traveler corresponding, 'the required position of the yarn between the traveler and the upper inner bearing surface of the ring may be maintained by forming the flange of the ring at a greater or less angle to the, horizontal, an instance of which is shown in Fig. 14, where it will be seen that the transverse axis of the ring has been tipped into the position shown in 26; This principle of construction may alsov be employed regardless of the particular shape of the traveler and cooperating bearing surfaces.

In either form of the invention, therefore, the variation in the angular position of the bearing surfaces of the ring with respect to the vertical axes in coordination with the other forces acting upon the traveler assist in regulating the positionv on the inner upper bearing surface of the ring at which the yarn passes between the traveler and the said surface.

The substantially square type of traveler may also be sha ed to vary the conditions obtaining. In ig, 12 the central portien 1,cd4,cac

curvature than in Fig. 10. In Fig. 12 the horns are not extended, and the center of gravity .is consequently at the point 28,

'While in Fig. '13 the'center of gravity is either at 29 or 30, as determined by the len of the horn extensions. .Thus it is possl le to regulate the amount of pressure upon" the yarnat its point of passage between the traveler an the bearing surface of the ring with relation to the presure between the contacting metallic surfaces of the traveler horn and ring. y

t 'In the construction illustrated inFig. 10,- the central vertical axis of the,web of the ring coincides on the line 31 so'tliat the inner lower bearing s ace 25 of the same width as the outer'lowe r'pheral surface 32. The width of the importalit inner bearing surface maybe increased by shifting the web radially with respect to the flange.

This has been donein the form shown in Fig. 1 and Fig.9 where, without changing Tthe angle of the flange fromthe vertical, the

centralwertical. axis 33 of the web is radial- 1 beyond the vertical axis 34 of the flange,

"1: us giving a wide innerslower bearing surface 9. The same thing is illustrated 'in.

Fig. '16, where the vertical axis 5 of the web is separated froin the vertical axis 36 of the flange, giving a wide inner lower bearing surface 37. g

The construction, especially 1n the preferred forms illustrated, both of traveler and of ring, is readily and cfiiciently manufactured. Not only are the surfaces of the ring, in, particular the bearing surfaces,

-readily formed, finished and polished, but the upward slope of the lower bearing. surface at a substantial angle, preferably about 45, to the web of thering provides ample clearance for a cutting tool in the formation of the ring. e

This application is a continuation of my application Serial No. 64,548, filed October 24, 1925, as to the subject matter common thereto. Q

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired tobe secured by LettersPatent, is: S y

V 1. A- spinnin mechanism comprising a verging bearing surfaces, the up r surface beingconvex and a traveler s apfliso that, when it is running with its inner horn riding .on the-said lower bearing surface, the inner side of the ad acent bow section extend substantially e uidistant from, and close to, ;said upper surface with the yarn runmng, and forming a bear.-

551 therebetween;

.2. A spinnin mechanism comprising a spinning ring, t e inner periphery of whi h comprises upper convex and lower frustromechanism comprising a spinnlngrmg, t

e inner periphery of which comprises upper and. lower inwardlyconverging bearmg surfaces, the upper sur face being convex, and a traveler havin its inner horn and the adjacent bow sec-' tion presenting the same angular 'relation as the said surfaces; the draft on the yarn .as'it is wound and the centrifugal force gen- N erated by the revolution of the ring acting tojcause the travel erto run with its inner horrrriding on the said lower bearing surface of the ring and with the inner side of the adjacent bpw section extending substantially equidistant from andclose to said upperbearing surface with the yarn running, and forming a bearing, therebetween. 4. A spinning mechanism comprising a spinning ring, the inner periphery, of which compr ses upper and lowerv inwardly converg ng bearing surfaces, the upper surface born convex, and a traveler having its inner cm and the adjacent bow section pre sentmg the same anglular relation as the said surfaces, in which t e weight, size and pro: .portions of the traveler are correlated tothe "forces acting on the traveler'during its revolution to cause the traveler to run with its inner horn riding on the ,said lower hearing surface of the ring and with th'e inner si e of the adjacentbow section extending substantially equidistant from and close to said upper bearing surface with the yarn running, and forming a bearing, therebetween.

5. A spinning mechanism comprising aspinning' ring, the inner-periphery of which comprises upper and lower. in ardly con verging bearmg surfaces, the upper sur-' face being 'conv'ex, and asymmetrical travelcr; having each horn and adjacent bow section presenting the same angular rela-' spinning ring, t e' inner periphery of which v comprises upper andlower lnwardly gontion, as the said surfaces, in which the weight and size of-the traveler are correlated'to the forces acting on the traveler during its revolution to cause the traveler to run with its inner horn riding on the-said lower bearing surface of the ring and with the'inner side of the adjacent bow section extending subfaces and a symmetrical traveler having each horn and adjacent bow'section presenting the same angular relation as the said surfaces, in which the weight and size of the traveler are correlated to the forces acting on the traveler during its revolution to cause the traveler to run with its inner horn ri d. ing on the said lower bearing surface of the ring and with the inner side of the adjacent bow section extending substantially equidistant from and close to said upper bearing surface with the yarn running, and

forming a bearing, therebetweenl 7 A spinning mechanism comprising a spinning ring, the inner periphery of which comprises upper and lower inwardly converging bearing surfaces and a traveler hav-- ing a horn and adjacent bow section pre sentingthe same angular relation as the said surfaces, and in which the angular relation of the said bearing surfaces to the vertical, the position of the center of gravity of the traveler and the other forces acting on the traveler during its revolution are correlated to cause the traveler to run with its inner horn rlding on the said-lower hearing surface of the ring with the inner side of the ad acent bow section extending. suhstantially equidistant from and close to said upper bearing surface, and with the yarn run ning at a predetermined point, and forming a separating bearing medium between, the traveler and the ring.

8. A spinning mechanism comprising a spinning ring, the inner periphery of which comprises upper and lower inwardly converging bearing surfaces and a traveler having a horn and adjacentbow section resenting the same angular relation as t e said surfaces and in which the angular relation of the said bearing surfaces to the vertical,

7 and the other forces acting on the traveler during its revolution are correlated to causev the yarnto' run and form aseparating hearing medium between the traveler and the upper hearing surface at a predetermined point.

9. A spinning mechanism comprising-1 2 traveler and the other forces acting on the traveler during its revolution are correlated to cause the traveler to run with its inner horn riding onthe said lower bearing sur- 00 face of the ring, with the inner side of the adjacent bow section extending substantially equidistant from and close to said upper bearing surface,iwith the yarn running at a predetermined point, and forming a separating bearing medium, between the trav eler side andv the ring, and with the pressure exerted-by the traveler upon the said yarn and by the traveler upon. the said lower bearing surface distributed in a predeter- 7 mined ratio. a

10. 1% spinning mechanism comprising a spinning ring, the inner periphery of which comprises upper and lower inwardly converging bearing surfaces, and a traveler have ing a bow and horns, the traveler when mounted radially on the ring having one of its horns extending substantially parallel to and in engagement with the lower bearing surface and having the inner side of its adj acent bow section and the opposed element of the upper bearing surface substantially concentrically arcuate.

11. A spinning mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 10 in which the 8 said upper and lower bearing surfaces of the ring are surfaces of revolution about the central, vertical axis of the ring.

\ l2. A spinning mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 10 in which the saidupper and lower bearing surfaces of the ring are surfaces of revolution about the central, vertical axis of the ring, and in which the lower surface is frustro-conical and the upper surface formed by a convex circular area 4 f 13. A spinning mechanism comprising the construction defined in claim 10 in which the' said upper and ,lower bearing surfaces of the ring are surfaces of revolution about the 1% central, vertical axis of the ring, in which the lower surface is frustro-conical and the upper surface formed by a convex circular arc, and in which a tangent to the said circular are at the point where the yarn normally 10a bears is at substantially the same angle to the horizontal as the angle between an element of the lower frustro-conical surface and the horizontal.

In testimony whereof,- I have signed my no name to this specification;

- CHARLES F, 

